16th-17th September

A few old favourites on 16th with the Pectoral Sandpiper still at Kirbest, the re-appearing Rosefinch at Neven and 3 Little Stints were now present. Highlights of a brief sea-watch were 17 Sooty Shearwaters and a Manx Shearwater, while a Song Thrush at Holland was new and Lapland and Snow Buntings have reached 4 each. With a strong westerly wind blowing on 17th, expectations were fairly low but with the low pressure system touching Scandinavia dragging easterly winds over the top of it there was some hope, and so it proved. There wasn't a lot but there was a little bit of quality, with a Yellow-browed Warbler at the Pier and a Bluethroat in a stubble field at Upper Breck discovered at opposite ends of the Island at the same time, with the latter showing well to the delight of the visiting tour group. The group then went one-better by scooping the 'bird of the day' prize by finding a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Pier a short time later. Other notable sightings from the day were 5 Ruff, a Blackcap, Chaffinch, 7 Lapland Buntings and 6 Snow Buntings.

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker (photo's by Andrew Thompson)